I grew up constantly reminded of the privilege of being a natural-born citizen of the United States. As a first-generation college student, I intend to reap the benefits of my blue passport until the day I die, providing my family with the life they strived, yet failed, to achieve for me. Currently, I am just like any other second-year student in the College of Arts & Sciences, undeclared and scavenging SIS for courses within my desired major. For me, that is Government on the American Politics Track.
One cannot fathom the feeling of defeat from an underclassman who planned their course schedules for the remainder of their collegiate career realizing that no PLAP classes were available for the Spring 2022 semester by the time of their enrollment appointment, tainting the foundation of their color-coded Excel sheet. That is until I found PLAP 3370. “PLAP? Open? AND an internship! I’ve hit the jackpot,” I thought, squealing with joy and relief.
I convinced myself that this is my “soul-course”. Not only would it satisfy a requirement for my major, the benefits of taking this course would go beyond the 3 credits necessary for graduation. I could network and form relationships with people I respect and aspire to be compared to. I could gain experience in the electoral process, advancing one step closer to my dream of becoming a Lobbyist. I could lay the foundation of my future success to finally make the lives of my family and peer constituents, one that they deserve. I could actually make a change.
Indeed, my interest in Government and American Politics is founded upon my disillusionment with the current political system yet, I maintain respect for those who fight to improve it and protect our democracy. I have realized that an individual of my nature – one who is far too stubborn to be corrupted, far too argumentative to be silenced, and far too determined to fix what seemingly is broken – is exactly what the future of this country needs. I am also far too pragmatic to dismiss the fact that our political leaders aren’t the puppets of lobbying groups. Hence, I have decided to fix our issues from the inside. But I cannot get there without education and experience, which PLAP 3370 just so happens to offer.
I acknowledge that a second-year student with an undeclared major who has yet to take a PLAP course may not be the best candidate to be permitted into this class. However, I view my lack of title as an injustice to underclassmen users of SIS and the course registration process. Regardless, I am more than just that. I believe my previous experience in government contracting, campaigning, and the legal field in conjunction with guidance from Professor Sabato and Professor Stroupe and my fervorous nature will ensure my success in this course. I seek to utilize the knowledge, experience, and relationships from this class in my professional career, set on the ultimate goal of healing our democracy and making America more similar to the country my parents imagined it to be.
